Glossary of terms

Allogeneic stem cell

"AL-oh-jin-AY-ik"

Refers to healthy blood-forming cells (stem cells) that have come from a suitably matched donor

Bilirubin

"BIH-lih-ROO-bin"

A yellow pigment in bile that is produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. A healthy liver removes most of the bilirubin from your body through the bile ducts. If the liver or bile ducts are damaged, bilirubin can enter the bloodstream and cause yellowing of the skin or eyes (called jaundice)

Bone marrow

"bown mah·row"

The soft, spongy tissue found in the center of most bones. There are 2 types of bone marrow: red and yellow. Red bone marrow gives rise to the stem cells that become red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Yellow bone marrow contains stem cells that become cells for cartilage, fat, or bone

Conventional T cell (Tcon)

"Con-VEN-shuh-nul Tee sell (Tee con)"

A type of T cell and main force behind your body’s infection- and cancer-fighting immune response. It turns on and directs other cells in the immune response. Also called fighter cells

Creatinine

"kree-A-tih-neen"

A normal waste product made from the muscle tissue in your body. It is normally removed from your body by the kidneys. If levels build up in your blood, it may be a sign of kidney disease

Engraftment

"en-GRAFT-ment"

Process in which transplanted stem cells travel through the blood to the bone marrow, where they begin to make new white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This happens within 2 to 4 weeks after a stem cell transplant

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)

"graft-vers-us-host diz-ease"

A condition that occurs when donated stem cells or bone marrow (the graft) sees the healthy tissues in the recipient’s body (the host) as foreign and attacks them. The signs and symptoms may be mild to severe and life-threatening. May happen within the first few months after transplant (acute) or much later (chronic)

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC)

"heh-ma-tuh-poy-EE-tik stem and prow·jeh·nuh·tor sell"

A group of cells with the ability to self-renew and differentiate into specific types of cells, including blood cells

Hemoglobin

"HEE-moh-GLOH-bin"

An iron protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to tissues and organs throughout the body

Immunosuppressant

"imm-you-no-sue-press-ant"

A medication that lowers the body’s immune response and makes it hard for the body to fight infection or other diseases, including cancer. May be used to help keep a person from rejecting a transplant

Immunotherapy

"imm-u-NO-ther-a-pee"

A type of treatment that uses substances to activate or suppress the immune system to help the body fight cancer, infection, and other diseases. Some of these medications may target specific cells in the immune system, while others may act in a more general way

Methotrexate

"meth-o·trek·sayt"

A type of chemotherapy that helps kill cancer cells

Mucosal

"myoo-KOH-sall"

Refers to the soft tissue that lines the body’s canals and organs in the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Also called the mucous membrane and plays an important part in immunity

Neutrophil

"NOO-troh-fill"

A type of white blood cell that plays a key role in helping your body fight infection

Platelet

"PLAYT-let"

A small piece of cell that helps your body form clots to stop bleeding

Regulatory T cell (Treg)

"reg-u·luh·tory Tee sell (Tee reg)"

A type of T cell that reduces the activity of other T cells once an infection- or disease-causing threat has been eliminated from the body. Can also help prevent the T cells from attacking healthy cells in the body. Also called suppressor cells

Stem cell

"stem sell"

A cell that gives rise to other types of cells, such as blood cells

T cell

"T sell"

A type of white blood cell. Also called lymphocytes; plays an important role in helping the immune system fight germs and protect the body from disease

Tacrolimus

"tack-roh-lih-mus"

Medication used to help lower the risk of infection, GVHD, and other complications that may happen when immune system activity is suppressed, such as with chemotherapy